Mommy FTW

For those of you with kids who just can’t get enough Valentine making (like mine) tomorrow, February 13th the Whole Foods Half Pint Kids Club is hosting a FREE event.

Here’s the info:

I love the idea of my kids making their own valentines for school.  We did this last year and the lessons I learned were 1) make it an easy craft that they can be successful at, and 2) start early because you might only get a few done each day.  My solution for the year – use crayon resist to make easy, colorful cards that even Violet could help with.  If you’re not familiar with  “crayon resist”  – it’s when you draw with a crayon on paper and then paint watercolor over it, the paint will not cover the paper.  If you use a white crayon on white paper, the crayon drawing will “magically” appear as the paint is applied.

So sweet, and so easy for the kids to make!

What you need:

Blank watercolor paper cards (I ordered mine from Amazon, but I am guessing you could find these at a craft store)

A white crayon

Watercolor paint (I am a big fan of Colorations Liquid Watercolor which was recomended to me by Cameron’s Preschool teachers.  The colors are very vibrant and they are easy for the kids to use.)

Paint brushes

First, draw heart designs on the blank cards.  I did this myself because my kids can’t really draw hearts yet…. plus, I did this in secret so when they started painting they seemed to appear magically, which added to the excitement.

Next, select an assortment of colors (I chose reds, pinks, purples) to be used on the cards.

Then, let the kids paint the cards to their heart’s content!  You may want to attempt to protect the inside of the blank card from getting paint on it.  I did this, but frankly wasn’t 100% successful so the inside isn’t pristine, but I don’t really care.

Allow the cards to dry – once dry you may want to press them under something heavy to be sure they are nice and flat.  You can also decorate the inside with more painting or drawing.

Crayon resist is super fun in general – not just for valentines – so give it a try with your kids!

A slew of deals, many of which expire today.  Happy shopping.

Gap coupon – Extra 20% off purchase + free shipping offer
Coupon Code: GAPGIFT
Expiration Date: 11/23/12

Walgreens coupon – $10 off $50 purchase
Coupon Code: 10SAVE
Expiration Date: 11/24/12

Lulu’s coupon – 15% off sitewide + free shipping offer
Coupon Code: BlkFri12
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

Travelocity coupon – 10% off hotels
Coupon Code: TURKEY10
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

Crate&Barrel coupon – 15% off
Coupon Code: SAVE15
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

Eastbay coupon – $25 off orders of $99 or more
Coupon Code: LKS1DCF6
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

The Land of Nod coupon – 15% off + free shipping
Coupon Code: SAVE15
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

Chinese Laundry coupon – 25% off
Coupon Code: SHOP1123
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

The Children’s Place coupon – Black Friday Blowout: 30-50% off everything
Coupon Code: BF2012HP
Expiration Date: 11/23/12

Banana Republic coupon – 40% off sitewide
Coupon Code: BRFRIDAY
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

Levi’s coupon – 40% off sitewide + free shipping
Coupon Code: BLKFRI
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

Coldwater Creek coupon – 40% off sitewide
Coupon Code: WFH6587
Expiration Date: 11/25/2012

bebe.com coupon – 30% off sitewide
Coupon Code: BLACKFRIDAY
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

etnies coupon – Black Friday Sale: 20% off & free shipping
Coupon Code: CYBERWEEKEND
Expiration Date: 11/25/2012

Forever21 coupon – Black Friday: Extra 50% off sale items + free shipping offer
Coupon Code: EXTRA50
Expiration Date: 11/25/12

Amazon coupon – 15% off Subscribe & Save when you pay with a MasterCard
Coupon Code: MSTRCRD1
Expiration Date: 11/30/2012

H2O+ – $25 off any $100 purchases
Coupon Code: BLACK1
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

Banana Republic coupon – 25% off purchases
Coupon Code: BRTHANKS
Expiration Date: 11/22/2012

The Home Depot coupon – $5 off $50
Coupon Code: BFHD2012
Expiration Date: 11/23/2012

Yoox coupon – 15% off + free shipping
Coupon Code: YOOXTHANKS
Expiration Date: 11/26/2012

I’m a little slow this year with posting the holiday coupon codes.  The kids and I have been sick, plus we just got through Cameron’s Birthday party (he’s 4!)  Here is this year’s first round:

Old Navy coupon – 15% off purchase + free shipping offer
Coupon Code: ONGIFT
Expiration Date: 11/21/12

Chico’s coupon – 25% off an entire order + free shipping on $100 or more
Coupon Code: 14835
Expiration Date: 11/25/2012

Levi’s coupon – 30% off + free shipping sitewide
Coupon Code: HOLIDAY
Expiration Date: 11/21/2012

Express coupon – BOGO Sale + up to $60 off purchases
Coupon Code: 2246
Expiration Date: 11/20/2012

Lane Bryant coupon – The Most Wonderful Sale: 50% off almost everything
Coupon Code: HOLIDAY50LB
Expiration Date: 11/25/2012

Yves Saint Laurent coupon – Friends & Family Event: 20% off any purchase
Coupon Code: PREVIEW12
Expiration Date: 11/22/2012

Forever 21 coupon – 30% off sweaters
Coupon Code: SWEATERS30
Expiration Date: 11/21/2012

Ann Taylor coupon – BOGO 50% off on regular-price items
Coupon Code: SHOPBOGO
Expiration Date: 11/20/2012

J.Crew coupon – 30% off sitewide at the J.Crew Factory
Coupon Code: SCOREMORE
Expiration Date: 11/20/2012

I’ll post more as I see them.  Happy shopping!

The American Trail at the National Zoo opens tomorrow (9/1) to the general public, but we were lucky to be able to see it today on the FONZ preview day. It was a little crowded, but a ton of fun. I wanted to post a few pictures for you all to check out – they don’t even begin to cover how cool the exhibit is!

Overall the exhibit is very stroller and kid friendly. There are a lot of stairs, but everything is also accessible via ramps. If you like, there is stroller parking at the entrance.  The kids can get great views of all the animals and particularly seemed to love the underwater viewing areas. While there is no bathroom there, they are located nearby at the Elephant Outpost, or at Amazonia (either of which you need to pass on the way to get to the American Trail. There is a Cafe with a small selection in case you need some food. The biggest draw for the kids seemed to be the tide pool which I think (although it was hard to tell since it’s new!) was having some trouble. The water only came on once in the 30 minutes we were hanging out near it. There were still puddles on the ground which my kids loved, but when the water actually came on, boy were they excited. Watch out for the littlest ones, though. The initial rush of water can be a bit intense. Violet also took a jet of water to the face. She was in shock but recovered quickly! All in all, a lot of fun. I can’t wait to go back once the crowds die down. See you there!

To learn more about the American Trail at the National Zoo and even check out a virtual tour, visit the Zoo website.

I have a double stroller, but I’m not going to lie – I hate it, and I rarely want to use it.  And not just “it” specifically, but pretty much any and every double stroller out there.  They are cumbersome, heavy, annoying, and an all around pain – and I can’t say I’ve ever met anyone who disagreed.  Whenever possible, I encourage Cameron to walk – but sometimes we are traveling longer distances, or he just gets pooped after being out and about for awhile.  So, I’ve come up with two solutions that we use quite a lot.

Cameron gets a little help up the hill

We call this one “the rope.”  Cameron loves his Mini Kick scooter (which by the way I highly recommend).  I keep a bungie cord – the purple thing you see in the picture there – in the bottom of my stroller so that when we are out walking and we get to a steep uphill I can hook him up to the stroller and help him along.  It works great!  I can’t tell you how many times moms have stopped me and asked if that was a “special attachment” – nope, just pick up a bungie cord at your local hardware store!

Makeshift boogie board - in the front

I have a Maclaren Techno as my main stroller – and there is no boogie board that I’ve heard of (after reading countless reviews and asking other moms) that seems to work well with them, for one reason or another.  So, I chose not to buy one.  But, what we will often do when Cam needs a little break is he hops on the front of the stroller and holds on to the side bars.  Both the kids seem to think this is both hilarious, and awesome.

Heads up moms!  The Wilson Aquatic Center is scheduled to close for its yearly maintenance / cleaning from Sunday, August 26 through Saturday, September 8, 2012.

Also, after labor day weekend (September 3, 2012) the sprinkler parks across the city will be shutting down for the 2012 summer season.

Violet enjoys the last moments of summer fun at Chevy Chase Rec. It's been fun, Summer 2012!

So get out there and enjoy them while you can! And get ready to head back to the Wilson Aquatic Center once it re opens in September!

For all the details regarding the closing and maintenance schedule for ALL the DC DPR Spray Parks, Outdoor pools, and Indoor Aquatic Centers, check out the DC Department of Parks and Recreation website.

Life has been really busy for me this summer and I haven’t been posting on the blog as much as I’d like – but I wanted to remind all my readers that I have a facebook fan page for Mommy FTW which I do post on much more frequently – especially about local news (what sprinkler parks might not be working, extended pool hours, local happenings etc).

Do you like me? Then Like me!

If you live in the NW DC area – or just want more Mommy FTW, then Like my page on Facebook! And I promise, more blog posts are in the works!

How many times have you gone to the playground in the summer, only to be surprised that the sprinklers are turned on (I’m looking in your direction, moms I met yesterday at Chevy Chase playground!).  It certainly happens here in DC often enough – DPR has set summer hours and dates for the spray parks, but no one seems to actually follow them.  Don’t be that mom with the toddler staring longingly at the other kids cooling off in the water – keep a bag of supplies in the trunk of your car or in the bottom of your stroller at all times.  You never know when it will be time to have some sprinkler fun!

Cameron is actually in his swimsuit and coated in sunscreen - so I must have been really on my game this day!

Here’s what I always have in my summer fun bag – keep in mind, I’ve got 2 kids, so my bag has 2x the supplies!:

2 towels for drying off after.  Even with all this heat, the water is chilly, and the kiddos can get cold at the end.

2 diapers – regular – not swim (both for Violet, Cam doesn’t wear them)  I only bother using swim diapers for actual swimming.  They are expensive, and for sprinkler play I just leave Violet in a regular diaper then change her out after.

2 Rash Guards (optional) – one for each kid.  This way you can just take off their shirts, put on the rash guards, and let them go.

2 changes of clothes – one for each kid.  If I am feeling really lazy, I’ll just let the kids go in in their existing outfits, then change them after.  There is really no need for full on swim attire – you can  skip the rash guards if you don’t have them / don’t want to bother.

Sunscreen!

It’s not exactly rocket science, I know – but so many times I hear parents saying at the park “You can’t go in because I didn’t bring your swimsuit.”  With just a little preparation – you will always be ready!  Just be sure to replenish your summer fun bag when you get home so next time it is ready with fresh supplies.